Everything About Istanbul Card
- heliya erfani
- 1 year ago
Istanbul, with its urban attractions, draws both domestic and international tourists. While exploring this large city might seem a bit expensive, don’t worry. The Istanbul Card, offered by the Istanbul City Administration, is an easy solution for using public transportation and reducing costs and other services, in such a way that both Istanbul citizens and travelers can easily benefit from it. Stay tuned for more information with the Sepehran blog.
The Istanbul Card is an electronic card designed to facilitate the use of public transportation in the city of Istanbul. This card allows travelers to easily manage their travel expenses with a personal user account. It also offers various uses at many locations like Ispark parking lots, iTaxis, IMM Social Facilities, and Beltur cafes. Additionally, travelers can use this electronic card at some restaurants and markets.
If you intend to use IETT or Havaist buses, you must use the Istanbul Card to pay the fare.
The Istanbul Card was introduced in 2009 as part of a transformation in the public transportation system. This card is an electronic payment system based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.
This card is designed to replace older payment methods and provide a quick and convenient way to pay fares on buses, metro, and even some minibusses and dolmuş.
Istanbul Cards are divided into different types to meet the various needs of citizens and tourists. If you are traveling to Istanbul as a tourist, you usually need to get an anonymous card, which is easy to obtain and recharge, without the need for registration or identification documents.
Anonymous Istanbulkart: This card does not hold any personal information of the holder and can be easily recharged and used. It is suitable for tourists who want to use public transportation without the complexities of registration.
Personal Istanbulkart: These cards are personal and registered in the holder’s name. They are often suitable for local citizens or those who plan to stay longer in Istanbul and benefit from long-term discounts.
Student Istanbulkart: These cards are specifically for students and offer significant discounts for city travel. Valid student documentation is required to obtain this card.
Elderly Istanbulkart: Elderly individuals can use this card to benefit from free or discounted travel. Usually, a document confirming the individual’s age is required.
Disabled Istanbulkart: People with disabilities can get this card by presenting documents related to their disability status to enjoy free or discounted travel.
Remember, for some of these cards, presenting identification documents and registering in the public transportation system is mandatory.
The Blue Card or “Bluekart” is a suitable option for those who plan to stay in Istanbul for a longer period and use public transportation regularly. Benefits of using a Blue Card include:
Validity Period: Blue Cards usually have a specific validity period, like 90 or 180 days.
Personal Use: These cards are personal and can only be used by the person whose name is registered on the card.
Price: The price of a Blue Card varies depending on the validity period and public transportation policies at the time of purchase.
The cost of this card is approximately 200 Turkish Lira, but for more accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to refer to the official website of Istanbul public transportation or inquire at card sales offices in Istanbul.
One of the most essential items you will need during your trip to Istanbul is the Istanbul Card, an electronic card for using public transportation and other public amenities in Istanbul.
You can obtain it from the following locations:
Istanbul Card Purchase Locations: You can buy an Istanbul Card from vending machines located at metro stations, bus stations, ticket kiosks, and also some newsstands. Customer Service Offices: In case of any issues with your card, you can visit customer service offices, which are located at various points throughout the city.
For more information about the purchase and recharge centers of Istanbul Card, visit: istanbulkart.istanbul
Download the application Istanbul Card Android version
The costs associated with the Istanbul Card can include the purchase price of the card itself, initial loading, and subsequent recharges. Prices may vary depending on when you travel and any changes in the public transportation system.
Card Purchase Cost: The cost of buying a new Istanbul Card is usually around 10-25 Turkish Lira. This amount is just for obtaining the card itself and does not include any travel credit.
Initial Charge: After purchasing the card, you need to load it with the amount you wish to spend on your travels. You can load any desired amount, from a minimum of 5 Lira to the maximum allowed by the charging machines.
Subsequent Charges: You can reload your card whenever needed. Recharging can be done through charging machines, special kiosks, some stores, or online.
Travel Costs: The cost of each trip with public transportation depends on the type of vehicle (metro, bus, tram, etc.) and the distance traveled. Using the Istanbul Card, there are discounts for consecutive trips within a limited time frame.
See the prices of different Istanbul Cards at the provided link.
Below, we briefly explain the process of recharging and managing an Istanbulkart account:
This process is standard for most Istanbul Card charging machines, but it’s always a good idea to follow the instructions displayed on the machine, as there may be minor differences in some machines or due to software updates.
You can use the Istanbul Card to pay for health services managed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, as well as in all public transportation systems in the city including buses, Metrobus, trams, and ferries. The Istanbul Card can also be used as a payment method at some markets, Ispark water vending machines, and other locations.
Benefits of Using the Istanbul Card
Using the Istanbul Card in Istanbul’s public transportation system offers several advantages, including:
To use any of these vehicles, simply bring the card close to the device next to the entrance door to register your entry. The travel amount is automatically deducted from the card balance. This system is very convenient and allows you to transfer to other transportation networks with just one vehicle without the need to buy separate tickets.
All healthcare personnel employed by the Turkish Ministry of Health are entitled to use public transportation and parking services for free through the Istanbul Card. If you are a staff member of the Ministry of Health in Istanbul, you can visit the Istanbul Card website to obtain your Istanbul Card.
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